Lithuania invited to send military observers to Syria

"Lithuania has received an invitation to join the United Nations UNSIMS mission in Syria and submit candidacies of military observers," the ministry said in a reply to BNS.

According to the statement, a decision on Lithuania's participation in the mission is yet to be made.

Algis Kaseta, a member of the parliamentary National Security and Defense Committee, told BNS he had not yet heard about the discussions about sending Lithuanian observers to Syria.

"As a member of the National Security and Defense Committee, I have not received such information in verbal or written form," said Kaseta of the ruling Liberal Movement.

He could not specify whether sending military observers to Syria would require a Seimas resolution.

Under the current resolution, up to 420 Lithuanian troops can participate in international operations in the Balkans, Central and Southern Asia, South Caucasus and the Persian Gulf.

Estonia is also considering the bid to send military observers to the same mission in Syria.

Since the uprising against the regime of President Bashar al Assad broke out in March 2011, more than 11,000 people have been killed in the country.

The Western world is applying strict diplomatic pressure against the Syrian regime, but Russia and China hold somewhat more moderate stance. They both are members of the UN Security Council and have repeatedly vetoed resolutions on the developments in Syria.